Science

NASA strikes deal with Russian transport to ISS

Science - Space

by William Atkins

Wednesday, 03 December 2008

On Tuesday, December 2, 2008, NASA announced it has signed a $141 million deal with the Russian Federal Space Agency (RSA) for crew and cargo transport services back and forth between the International Space Station through the spring of 2012.

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The NASA media release “NASA extends contract with Russian Federal Space Agency states that, “The firm-fixed price extension covers comprehensive Soyuz support, including all necessary training and preparation for launch, crew rescue, and landing of a long-duration mission for three station crew members.”

It continues, “The crew members will launch on two Soyuz vehicles in the fall of 2011. They will land in the spring of 2012.”

NASA confirms that the flights are likely to be used to hold up its obligations to its international partners for transportation to and from the International Space Station.

NASA also states, “The contract extension also provides for the two Soyuz flights to carry limited cargo to and from the station and dispose of trash.”

And, “The cargo allowed per person is approximately 110 pounds (50 kilograms) launched to the station, approximately 37 pounds (17 kilograms) returned to Earth, and trash disposal of approximately 66 pounds (30 kilograms)."

This deal with the RSA allows NASA to continue its obligations for bringing crews and cargo to the Space Station while its current space shuttle fleet are retired and its new Project Constellation is being developed, complete with Orion crew capsules, Ares rockets, and Altair lunar landers.

For additional information on Project Constellation, please go to: NASA Constellation.

The website of the Russian Federation Space Agency (RSA) is Roscosmos. The organization is also sometimes abbreviated RKA or Roskosmos.

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